Mucha’s The Slav Epic

Most people who are familiar in passing with Art Nouveau artist Alphonse (Alfons) Mucha (see my recent post on Alphonse Mucha on Gallica Digital Library) are not aware of his body of work that is in a very different style.

The most important and striking examples of this are a series of 20 very large canvasses called The Slav Epic, which Mucha considered the most important work of his lifetime and the culmination of his artistic career.

The paintings tell the history of Slavic people, and are housed in a castle in the small town of Moravský. There is long standing controversy about plans to bring them to Prague.

The paintings are little known outside of the Czech Republic and images of them are not readily available. There are few, if any, in most books on Mucha, though Mucha by Sarah Mucha is listed as containing some information and images on the Slav Epic paintings, even if incomplete. I haven’t seen the book myself.

10 Replies to “Mucha’s The Slav Epic”

It is the book associated to the french 2009 exhibition that took place in Montpellier, France. I believe it to be the best book you can find about Mucha. It includes his posters, his designs for jewels and other items, the Slav Epic with magnificent detailed close ups, the Pater, his architecture drawings for Universal Exposition, pictures of the Fouquet shop designed by Mucha, drawings, photographs…
But it is french. Even so, I highly recommend this book.

Now also seems to be a good time to thank you for your wonderful blog, you made me discover so many artists.
(By the way, I just refered to you as I included the animation “out of sight” in my new born blog)
Thank you again.

By the way, the “world’s most expensive postcard” is one of Mucha’s Waverly Cycles image, which sold for $11,000 about 5 years ago, because it is one of only 3 known to exist, and the only one with no writing or physical damage.

Hello, I have been to Moravský Krumlov twice to see this great paintings and its really breathtaking. On the reproductions you can´t see beautiful work with light reflections – combination of bright oil painting and velvet tempera. Beautiful.

My wife took me to see the paintings last year(2010)as a 50th birthday present. Our trip coincided with the wrangle over their move to Prague. We were not sure if we would see them, even on the very morning that we set off on the train from Brno.We were astonished to find that few people in the Republic knew of their existence, including staff in Tourist Information centres!! The trip left us with mixed feelings about the paintings being relocated. If in Prague, they could be viewed by a wider audience and give them the exposure that they deserve. But leaving them in Moravsky Krumlov means that the journey becomes part of the trill in seeking them out with all the glory of the Czech Rep to admire also(both sights and people).The total experience was something that will remain with us forever. The paintings? I cannot find the words to describe the impact. A very moving experience.

Thanks for the personal insight, Ian. It’s hard to say where I come down on the question of moving the works. I’m sorry to hear, though, that the tourist information centers aren’t doing more to promote this great cultural resource, and elevate Mucha’s contribution to the status it deserves.

We were in Prague for Christmas this year (2012) and l was determined to track the paintings down despite the fact that the tourist brochures, guides, hotel owners and even the workers at the original Mucha Gallery couldn’t tell us where they were. Finally found them in a modem building north of the main town – most are there – and how fabulous they are – breathtakingly beautiful – l could have spent a day in front of each one – My admiration for Mucha is off the charts ! his genius combined with the sheer volume of work is staggering. Now l understand that he produced the illustrative works (as wonderful as they are) because he needed to live and eat but the Slav Epic paintings were his passion and it shows. If you haven’t seen them find a way to get there. Personally l’m glad they were moved to the capital so that Mucha can be recognised internationally for the genius he was.

Thanks, Joanie. I’m surprised they weren’t more readily mentioned in guides and brochures, since the idea of bringing them to Prague was to increase awareness of the paintings and make them a destination. I’m glad you got to see them though.